Teenager drowns while playing in Chaiyaphum floodwaters
A 13 year old boy tragically drowned while playing in floodwaters with friends. His body was found the following morning under a weir. The search was conducted by various rescue teams, and the boy’s family was present, overwhelmed with grief.
Yesterday, September 24, a 13 year old student drowned after being swept away by strong currents while playing in floodwaters at Wang Yao weir, Ban Sansod, Moo 15, Nong Phon Ngam subdistrict, Kasetsombun district, Chaiyaphum province. The boy, along with six friends, was enjoying the flooded area when the powerful water flow carried him away.
Following the incident, several rescue teams, including the Nong Phon Ngam Subdistrict Administration Organisation’s disaster prevention team, Kasetsombun district’s rescue unit, Luang Siri Rescue Unit from Nong Bua Daeng district, and Sawang Khunatham Foundation from Chaiyaphum province, joined forces to search for the boy.
They scoured the water’s edge along a one-kilometre stretch of the river, while divers from the Sawang Khunatham Foundation conducted an underwater search at Wang Yao weir. Despite their efforts, the strong currents made the search extremely challenging.
Early this morning, the rescue teams resumed their search for the boy, identified as Witawat, aged 13. Around 8am, divers discovered his lifeless body approximately 500 metres downstream from Wang Yao weir, Ban Sansod, Moo 15, in the Nong Phon Ngam subdistrict.
The rescue teams, along with various foundations, worked together to retrieve Witawat’s body from the river. His parents and relatives, who had anxiously awaited news since yesterday, were present at the scene. Upon seeing his body, they were overcome with grief and sorrow, mourning the untimely loss of the young boy, reported KhaoSod.
The Kaset Sombun Police Station, in conjunction with medical personnel from Kaset Sombun Hospital, conducted an autopsy which confirmed that Witawat died from drowning. The family did not suspect foul play and have accepted his death as a tragic accident. They have now taken custody of his body to perform funeral rites.
